Electric Shock

[Lynnieshell]

I get an electric shock nearly every day from my car when I shut the door. What is it that makes me so highly charged? Is this dangerous?

[Mylo74]

Your car builds up static electricity from travelling the roads. Once you step out of the car you ground yourself and there fore the energy which has been built up int he body of the car is transfered through you to the ground, effectively once you step out of the car you become a conductor, like a steaple lightning rod. It is very unlickly that this will have any adverse effects on you as the charge built up in the car is quite minimal. You might try attaching a static charge stick to the rear of the car, this drags along the road as you are driving and automatically transfers the charge being built up to the ground. So when you get out of the car there is no charge left for you to conduct.

[comloulou]

And dont scuff your shoes in nylon carpets, Im a pain for doing that and then zap the c**p out of myself on anything metal.

[wildwood]

It was suggested on this site that you hold a bare metal part (such as the door latch) of the car while your foot touches the ground when you get out. It has worked 100% for me so far.

[Gef]

It's you that is charged not the car - depends on what you are wearing rubbing against the seat etc. It also depends on the humidity. Although it can be a fright the shock is not dangerous. By the way, the strips fitted to the back of cars have been proven to be totally ineffective.